Council committee set to move forward on regulating Uber, Lyft

Jim Schoettler

Monday

Feb 22, 2016 at 3:30 PM

A special City Council committee studying ride-sharing companies in Jacksonville is expected to make progress in the next few weeks in finding ways to strengthen enforcing regulation of the local industry, the committee's chairman said Monday.

Uber and Lyft, which allow people to arrange and pay for ride with their smart phones, have been criticized by some city officials for employing drivers who have not been screened and permitted by the city. The issue of proper screening was among the questions raised about the safety of such transportation after police linked an Uber driver - who apparently had no criminal record - to a random fatal shooting spree in Michigan Saturday.

Other local concerns include the insurance carried by the companies and inspections of vehicles used by their drivers and subsequent permitting after those inspections.

Taxi operators have said that requirements they have to pay permit fees that are not imposed on the ride-sharing companies are unfair and have demanded more regulation.

The council committee, known as the special committee on vehicles for hire, has been studying the issues since it began meeting last fall, but has been waiting for developments of legislation in Tallahassee before moving forward. Committee Chairman Matt Schellenberg said he's unhappy with the lack of progress in the Legislature and will ensure the local committee moves forward with its own rules.

"We wanted to see what was happening in Tallahassee and apparently they're not doing anything," Schellenberg said. "We're going to proceed."

Schellenberg said details of how to further regulate the industry should be worked out in "two to three weeks".

Any kind of progress would be welcome news to Councilman John Crescimbeni, a member of the special committee. Crescimbeni said he has been frustrated with the lack of the enforcement of regulations since the council first agreed to let the ride-sharing industry in Jacksonville about three years ago.

"We have no idea what kind of insurance they have. We have no idea whether their drivers are getting background checks. We have no idea if their vehicles are being inspected," Crescimbeni said.

"We're in the dark. The industry knows how to manipulate local governments and we have to stop that."

Crescimbeni said background checks would be especially important to alleviate concerns about the safety of customers. He advocates those checks be done nationally.

Among his concerns was the recent arrest of a Lyft driver accused of assaulting and harassing a local college student, who has filed suit against the ride-hailing company and the driver. She and her lawyers say they want accountability from Lyft, but the company told the Times-Union city regulations don't apply to its drivers.

And even though the Uber driver linked to Saturday's shootings in Michigan had no criminal history, that shouldn't preclude all drivers to have their backgrounds checked and the information to be provided to the city, Crescimbeni said.

"The city is going to have to decide whether it's going to want to pay attention to public safety in this industry," Crescimbeni said. "I want to know if they have any kind of problems in their background as it relates to driving or if they have some sort of felonious background."

An Uber spokeswoman did not comment on the company's policies in Jacksonville, but emailed a two-page list detailing company background requirements that included this statement:

"We believe Uber is a safe, reliable way to get from A to B. Our technology makes it possible to focus on safety for riders and driver-partners before, during and after a trip. All driver-partners wanting to use the Uber platform are required to undergo an extensive background check."

An official from Lyft could not be reached to comment.

Schellenberg said he would entrust the companies, not the city, to ensure thorough background checks were done for their employees.

"I think the companies have a more vested interest in their [driver's] contacts with the people than the government has," Schellenberg said.

Councilman Doyle Carter, who is also on the committee, said ensuring the companies have the proper insurance and background checks should be part of any legislation created by the committee, which he urged to act soon.

"I want Uber and Lyft to be successful here in town, but at the same time you have to regulations to make sure everybody is protected," Carter said. "We need to get something done."

Jim Schoettler: (904) 359-4385

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.